A Commentary on the Bishops' November Meeting

By Mary Ann Kreitzer
www.lesfemmes-thetruth.org

The U. S. bishops' November meeting ended Thursday, November 18. In line with the unbroken tradition of the Vice President rising to the post, Bishop William Skylstad of Spokane, Washington was elected to succeed Wilton Gregory as head of the USCCB.

An unprecedented election did take place, however, when Bishop Donald Trautman of Erie, PA was nominated from the floor and won chairmanship of the Liturgy Committee, a post he also held from 1992-95. The return of Trautman, a champion of inclusive language and liturgical "reform" in the spirit of Vatican II, sends a bad signal to those hoping to see reverence restored to the liturgy.

The bishops' embarrassing opening Mass will likely be repeated often in the future. Participants watched it degenerate to a silly spectacle with "Gimme that Old Time Religion" and some shepherds clapping and swaying to the closing hymn before processing down the aisle. Do our bishops have any dignity left?

But there are signs that things are changing. The wall of the united brotherhood has cracked. The laity rejoiced when several bold bishops stepped away from the herd and publicly declared they would deny the Eucharist to pro-abortion politicians. It is a beginning...This year there were smiling faces among some of the bishops as we called out, "Thank you, Archbishop Chaput, we're praying for your election. Thank you, Bishop Sheridan for your courageous words. Thank you Archbishop Burke, you give us hope. Thank you...Thank you..." It was only a handful, but there were only a handful of faithful at the foot of the Cross.

I had the opportunity to speak briefly to Archbishop Burke in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency on the opening day of the meeting. I told him how grateful the laity are for his boldness in defending the Eucharist. I said I was personally touched by his public statement that he regretted not taking stronger action sooner. His humble reply was that he continues to regret it. Opening my hand, I showed him the rosary blessed by the pope that Bishop Thomas Welsh gave me many years ago when I was a young mother. "We pray for you daily, Your Excellency."

Let us, indeed, pray for the true shepherds, few though they seem to be. Fasting, daily Mass, frequent confession, Eucharistic holy hours, the rosary, novenas, and a determination to fight for the faith will ultimately bring about the victory - restoration of the Church in the United States.

May Jesus Christ be praised.

All emphasis added...Complete Article here.